Mixing valve



Patented Sept. 28, 1937 jaosazss ParENrol-FICE 7 Roy` H. Zinkil, OakPark,

rickson, Chicago, Ill., assignors and Edward A. Frea-k to Crane Co.,

Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois. `Applicata June"11,1934,sei-iai No. v*$0,004

9 Claims.v (Cl. 277-18) Our invention relates to that type of mixingvalve `in which hot and Jcold water are brought together from each oftheir respective supplyr pipes into a common chamber withinv the valveproper.

More particularly, the primary purpose of our invention is toprovidefor'an accurate, conven-r, ient and easily controlled mechanical meansfor varying the temperature of the mixed water. i

Another important object istoprovide for` a construction inv which theadjustment of the refspective hot and cold watervalves is readilyaccessibleafter installation. l

, Another important object is to i obtain the quick opening of bothvvalvesfwith a relatively small movement of' the operating lever and witha v smooth and uniform action, functioningl by means of a compoundmovement employing right and left hand thread actuating means, `or'b'y adirect pedal'action likewise producing a similar desirable result, thelatter feature being separately claimed in our copending divisionalapplication, Serial No. 110,582, flied November 13, 193,6. f

y Another object is to providecertain improvements in .mixing valvesofthis character affording ease of installation either upon the fixture',or upon fthe` ware itself, or independently, upon a Wall bracket. i

i A furtherA object of this invention relates to an improvement in kneeaction supply fixtures for hospital use and the like, in which a simpleand convenient means of operation is obtained; adaptable for loperationby the knees or foot rather than by the hands ofthe user, and the usualvhot and cold water'hand operated faucets `being dispensed with, thecontamination of the` hands by the xtureis thus avoided. We attain theseobjectsby the mechanism' illustrated in the accompanying drawingsinwhich` i j Fig. 1 is a front,verticalfsectional'view, show'- ing the'internal relation" ofthe valves and their controlling parts'.V i

Fig-'2 is'a partial, exterior'front View, .in reduced'scale,` showingthevslightly inclined slot in which the forked operatinglever `travels inits span of operation for a knee operated valve.

Fig'. 3 is a' horizontal,r sectional view, in reduced scale, taken uponthe line 3-3'0f Fig.` 1.` i

Fig. 4 vis a side external view, in reduced scale.l

`the operating means; the spring creatingV friction Fig.5 shows-thelocation,y of a friction spring,y

between the housing suiciently to retard possible axial movement of thecrosshead., l

.D Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several viewsaforementioned.

Referring to Fig. l, the body I of the valve has a pluralityof parallelvalve chambers 2` at its clfically are guided for reciprocatorymovement, a poppet type, seat upwardly against the valve seats-.l` undertheaction of' the springs 1. VThe valve'Y chambers 2 have lateral inlets8 and 9 adapted to be connected with the respective cold and hot watersupply pipes. (Indicated but not shown.) y 1 i 'Ihe bottoms of the valvechambers are `closed by means 'of the vplugs i0, which retain thesprings'l, the plugsbeing removable in order to` getaccess to the valvemembers and springs without necessitating ,disconnection of the valvesfrornthe plumbing "fixture itself. The valve members 6 preferably seatagainst renewable seat rings l |,f preferably threadedly attached to thecasing l. Y

Each of the respective poppet valves are guided by the extensionrods l2and 12a which move in reciprocating manner within the respective bores I3` of the caps Il), the purpose of the guiding lower end, containingthe'valvejmembers 3 con-H sisting preferably `of a disc retaining ring3a for' the purpose of `retaining a composition disc 4 by meansof thethreads 5; These valves more spe-A 10` being to'prevent a wobblingmovement of the valve Vas it returnsto its seat 6 under the action ofthespring. The guide member i2, aspreviously` mentioned, is threaded toprovide for the retaining means 3 for the renewable disc 4. In referringto the valve shown in the left hand portion of Fig.r l, the guide member2 is provided with af frustro-conical extension |20 against which` theipush rod I4 rests-when the valve is installedin its normal position. Themember I2c is ,preferably attached to guide means by screw driverslot'MIZb. This construction appliesto the valve controlling the supplyof hot water.

Referring to the right 'hand or cold Waterside of theFigJl as designatedby numeral 8, the-guide 12a therein is made to permit the tappet rod Hbto bear against the latter as at 14e.v The difference in theconstruction shown is to preventthe reversal of the respective valves.The tappet rod l'lb asy indicated is provided preferably integrally withan enlargement thereon for `thejpurpose of diminishing the supply ofcold water as the valve approaches its maximum movement in opening whilethehot water under the same movement.

and by reason of, thesame form of enlargement its volume in the amountof water entering through the seat opening as it is gradually beingopened. Briefly, so far as volume is concerned, their action isreciprocal although this relationship as mentioned may be materiallychanged by the threaded adjusting screws hereinafter described.

The elongated push rods I3 are each journalled within a spring loadedstufllng box I5 extending through and beyond the bushing I 6, and madeof such proper length so as to permit the necessary clearance betweenthe adjusting screw I1 and the end of the respective rods Ila. Acrosshead member I3 supports the adjusting screws I1 in lockedengagement by means of the locknuts I9 and is attached to the centraloperating'means by a nut and friction spring washer, respectivelydesignated as 2| and 22, and held in non-rotatable position by means ofthe rectangular shape of said crosshead, one side bearing on the insidewall of housing 32, the broaching 23, and against the shoulder 24, whichis a part of the lower left hand thread member 25 engaging the sleeve26. The lower end of the broached head 23 of lower thread member 25 ispreferably made for guidance within the hollow guide 26. As shown moreclearly in Fig. 5 the spring washer 22 which is interposed between thelower face of the crosshead I8 and the nut 2| is provided with anupturned flange contacting with the inner surface of the housing 32.Thus the washer 22 functions as a means to retard the axial movement ofthe crosshead member, whereby the latter is iinmovably maintainable inthe intermediate positions of the valves.

In order to get the maximum axial movement with a minimum amount ofturning movement, the upper half of the sleeve 26 is similarly threadedwith a right hand thread of coarse pitch, as designated atv 21a. Theupper thread member 21 is pulled up to the shoulder 28 of housing 32 bymeans of the broached extension 23 and held in rigid and ilxed positionby means of the threaded nut 3|, the entire upper half of the structurevbeing enclosed by means of the housing 32 attached to the lower casingI, preferably by the machine screws 32a. Preferably attached to thesleeve 26 is the extension stirrup handle or forked lever 33, as bettershown in Fig. 3, made of such form as to readily adapt itself formovement by the shifting thereof by the operators knee. movement of thestirrup handle from one extreme position to the other.

Directing attention to Fig. 2, the stirrup handle 33 is shown inapproximately half way or mixing position. 'I'he slot 32h in which theaforesaid handle operates is slightly sloped as indicated, to allow forthe lateral movement of the handle. Preferably to provide for acushioned stop and prevent marring of the parts, a molded rubber bumper32d is provided at each end.

Referring to Fig. 3, the stirrup handle 33 is attached to the threadedsleeve 26 by means of a short tube 33o, by means of threaded connections33a and 33h. 4 y

As to Fig. 4, thisshows a side view showing the partially opened back ofthe housing 32 for accessibility to the adjusting screws I1 and thelocking nuts I9. n

Having concluded the description of parts in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, themethod of operation is as4 follows:

When the lever 33 in its arcuate movement is The dotted lines in Fig. 3indicate the attached to the guide member I2 increases in turned towardthe left the sleeve 26 traveling axially upon the threads 25 and 2'|respectively, because the latter are stationary due to their beingnonrotatably attached at both ends, the aforesaid sleeve causes thecrosshead I 8 to move downwardly until the ends Ila'of the adjustingscrews I1 contact with the ends Ila of the push rods I4 and dependingupon the extent of the turning of the lever 33, such depressing movementof the valve rods will continue until the spring loaded valve closuremembers 3 are moved from the seats 6, thus admitting the respective hotand cold water within the chamber 3c. It is obvious that the amount ofdepression of the respective valves is easily controllable by means ofthe ne adjustment permissible on the adjusting screws Il mounted uponthe crosshead I8.

Thus the temperature of the water and also the amount thereof enteringthe upper chamber 3c and discharging through the outlet- 3d isconvenientlyl handled.

It is apparent that this invention is capable of numerous modificationsfalling within the spirit of invention, as for example, more than oneoutlet may be used rather than as a single outlet as shown. Wethereforel desire to be limited only to the extent of the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. In a mixing valve, comprising a casing having hot and cold fluidinlets thereto and a fluid outlet or outlets therefrom, a removablehousing cooperating with said casing, simultaneously operable valves forthe control of fluids through said inlets, a transversely divided stemlwithin said housing comprising upper and lower oppositely threadedportions for actuating said valves, a.

crosshead mounted upon the lower portion of the said stem havingadjustable means for actuating said valves, an actuating sleeve havingoppositely threaded portions for complementary engagement with the saidportions ofthe stem and connecting said portions, the said portions ofthe divided stem being selectively positioned axially and adjustablewith relation respectively to the said housing and the said crossheadwhereby the said complementary engagement and the extent of thereciprocal movement of the said valves is effected upon rotativeactuation o'f the said sleeve.

2. In a mixing valve, comprising a casing having hot and cold fluidinlets thereto and a fluid outlet or outlets therefrom, a housingsuperposed above said casing, simultaneously operable valves for thecontrol of fluids through said inlets, a transversely divided axiallyaligned stem for actuating said valves, a crosshead ilxedly attached tothe lower portion of said divided stem, the other portion of said stembeing flxedly and non-rotatably mounted within said housing, a sleevethreadedly connecting the divided portions of said stem, a lockwasherinterposed between said lower portion of said stem and said crossheadandbearing against said housing, whereby the said crosshead is held infrictional contact therewith when the said sleeve is rotated. the latterbeing manually operable exteriorly of said housing.

3. In a mixing valve, comprising a casing having hot and cold fluidinlets thereto and a fluid outlet or outlets therefrom, a housingsuperposed above said casing, simultaneously operable valves for thecontrol of fluids through said inlets, an axially adjustable dividedstem comprising upper and lower portions supported by said housing foractuating said valves, a crosshead supported by the lower portion ofsaid stem and having `adadjustable with relation to the sleeve wherebyjustable means for actuating said valves, a sleeve having oppositelythreaded portions engaging the ends of the said divided stem andconnecting said portions, the said adjustability of the stem beingobtained by selective positioning oi' said stem with relation to thesaid sleeve whereby the reciprocable movement of said valves iseffec-ted.

4. In a mixing valve comprising a casing having hot andr cold fluidinlets thereto and a iluid outlet or outlets therefrom, the housingcooperating with said casing, simultaneously operable valves for thecontrol of fluids through the said inlets, a 4transversely divided stemfor actuating the said valves, a crosshead member having adjustablemeans for actuating the said valves, locking means for` selectivelymounting a portion of said divided stem in non-rotatable relation withsaid housing, a sleeve having `oppositely threaded portions connectingthe ends of the said divided stem, the said portions of the divided stembeing axially adjustable with relation to the said sleeve wherebyadjustment of the recipron bei' having adjustable means for contactingwith cable movement of the said valves is elected.

5. In a mixing valve comprising a casing having hot and cold'iluid`inlets thereto anda fluid outlet or outlets therefrom, a housingcooperating with the said casing, simultaneously operable valves for thecontrol o! fluids through the said inlets, actuating means for the saidvalves, a

means for contacting with the said valves, a sleeve having oppositelythreaded portions connecting the ends of the saiddivided stem, the saidportions of the divided stem being axially control of the `movement ofthe said valves is obtained.

6. In a mixing valve, comprising avcasing hav- 40 ing hot and cold iluidinlets thereto and ailuid outlet or outlets therefrom, a housingcooperating with the said casing, simultaneously operable valves for thecontrol of iluids through said in.

lets, a transversely divided stemy for actuating .45 the said valves,ajcrosshead having adjustable means for actuating the said'valves,'asleeve vhaving oppositely threaded'portions connecting the ends of thesaid dividedstem, means-interposed between said housingandthelsaldcr'css- 50 head whereby a slidable contact is lrxfiaintained't therebetween.

7. In a mixing valve comprising a casing hav,-

transversely divided stem for actuating the said valves, a crossheadmember having adjustable.

lng not and cola nula inlets thereto and a sind outlet or outletstherefrom. a housing cooperating with the said casing. simultaneouslyoperable valves for the control of iluids through the-said inlets,actuating means for the said valves, comprising a transversely dividednon-rotatable stem for actuating the said valves, a crosshead memberhaving adjustable means for contacting with the said valves, a sleevehaving oppositely threaded portions connecting the ends of the saiddivided stem, the said portions of the divided stem being axiallyadjustable with relation to the housing and the crosshead wherebycontrol ofthe movement ofthe said valves is obtained. 8. In a mixingvalve comprising a casing having h ot and cold fluid inlets thereto anda fluid outlet or outlets therefrom, a housing cooperating with the saidcasing, simultaneously operable valves forl the control of fluidsthrough the said for actuating the said valves, a crosshead memthe saidvalves, a sleeve having oppositely threaded. portions connectingv theends of the said divided stem, frictional means interposed between saidcrosshead member and said housing whereby axial movement of thecrosshead is frictionally retarded. i

9. In a mixing valve, comprising a casing having hot 'and cold fluid'inlets thereto anda fluid outlet or outlets therefrom, a removablehousing cooperating with 'the said casing, simultaneously operablevalves'for the control of fluids through said inlets, a transverselydivided stem for actuating said valves, a crosshead member, mounted uponthe lower portion of the said stem having adjustable means forsimultaneously limiting the movement of the said valves, an actuatingsleeve having oppositely threaded portions engaging the ends of thesaiddivided stem and connecting said portions, operable means on said sleeveHrelative to the housingl and the other axially adjustable with relationto the said sleeve. i

' ROY H., zINKIL. Y, EDWARD A.- FaEDRIcKsoN.

